Wheel cover



Dec. 20, 1949 G. A. LYON ZQLEG WHEEL COVER Filed May l2, 1945 2 Sheets-5heet l Dec. 20, 1949 G. A. I YoN 2,4%505 WHEEL COVER Filed May 12, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 F1 q". qu

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, i 32! i 5 1 u /2 f /3 x r* y /42 Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J. Application May 12, 1945, Serial No. 593,469

claims. l

This invention relates to a wheel structure and more particularly to a novel cover for an automobile type of wheel which embodies the usual tire rim and body or load bearing part.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved sheet metal cover for an automobile which may be effectively held under tension in cooperation with the wheel and which may be made of relatively thin sheet metal material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thin metallic cover which is so constructed as to cooperate with the cap screws used to bolt a Wheel on a brake drum whereby such cap screws may be employed to deflect and tension the cover.

In accordance with the general features of this invention there is provided in a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim, a central portion constructed for engagement by the heads of the screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward the central flange and retain the cover in tight engagement with the tire rim, and an intermediate bellows or diaphragm-like portion connecting the outer and central portions together and providing the cover with resilient yieldable characteristics whereby the cover may readily accommodate manufacturing variations in the parts of the Wheel.

Another feature relates to the utilization of the intermediate diaphragm section of the aforesaid cover to serve as a mounting for hub cap retaining means such as spring clips or the like.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof and in which Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel assembly having my novel cover applied thereto and with a. portion of the hub cap broken away to show one of the hub cap retaining spring clips;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line II--II of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and showing the manner in which each of the cap `screws cooperate with an edge portion of the metallic cover.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modification of the invention; I

Figure 5 is a'fragmentary sectional view corresponding to Figure 4, but illustrating the con` dition of the cover prior to the application of the cap screws in tensioned engagement therewith and with the hub cap omitted; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows and showing the manner in which each of the cap screws cooperate with an edge of an opening in the central portion of a wheel cover.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference character 9 designates generally a-conventional type of pneumatic tube and tire having the usual valve stem 3 which is of a construction now well known in the art.

This tire 9 is carried by a conventional multiflange drop centertype of tire rim designated generally by the reference character Il). This tire rim may comprise a rolled section such as is now commonly used in the automotive field.

The tire rim I0 is carried upon a central body or load bearing part II which comprises a shelllike metallic stamping. cludes a bulged central dished portion I2, terminating in a radially extending bolt on flange I3 having a plurality of apertures I4 for accommodating the conventional cap screws I5 threaded into the usual brake drum I6.

My present invention is principally concerned with the provision of a novel sheet metal cover for a wheel of the aforementioned type and which cover may be .economically manufactured on a large production basis and yet, in use, be able to accommodate slight manufacturing variation in the relative location of the rim and body parts of the wheel. i

I have designated the first form of cover generally by the reference character 2t and it will be perceived from Figure 2 that this cover eX- tends clear from its outer turned edge 22 to the center of the wheel. The outer turned edge 22 of the cover is adapted to slightly overhang the outer edge of the rim part adjacent the outer side wall of the tire.

The cover includes an outer annular portion 2| which extends generally radially and axiallyV inwardly from the edge'22 toward the body part I I so that in use this portion will appear to constitute a continuation of the curved outer side wall of the tire. This appearance may be accentuated by giving the portion 2| a White exttrnal illlsh which will cause this portion in use This stamping Il into appear to be a white side wall part of the tire.

Also it is contemplated that the portion 2| will be provided with an aperture 23 through which the valve stem 8 can project to enable access to the same. By reason of the fact that the portion 2| extends radially and axially inwardly it is closer to the rim than would otherwise be the case, and as a consequence, a relatively short valve stem can be employed in this assembling, I ,Y l

The inner margin of the portion 2| terminates in an annular depression 24 which in turn is connected to an intermediate substantially flatz tened section 25, which, in action, resembles a diaphragm or a bellows. 'Ihat is to say, this flattened section 25 by reason of itsra'ised charac# teristics as well as its location can resiliently yield in much the same manner as a bellows or number, such for example. as three to five. Eachof these clips 28 has avtu-rned outer free exe tremity 29 which projects into an aperture 30- in the diaphragm section 25l These spring clips are commonly referred to in the art as an inverted type of clip. That isto say, they permit` oi an easy-on action in the mounting of the hub cap thereon but necessitates the ,use of av much greater force to pry the hub cap freefrom the clip. This easy-on hard-off action is very desirable since it minimizes the likelihood of the hub cap being accidently jarredVfree-of the wheel. The hub cap is designated generallyby the reference character 3I and it, like the; cover, may be made from relatively thin` sheet.- metal.- In

reality it comprises a component. part. of thecover assembly. Thisv hubY ca-p 3| in additionto its usual central crown portion has aninfwardly turned edge 32 adapted to be cammed` over the extremities 29 into retained cooperation'v therewith and into tight engagement with ther` grooved portion 24 of they cover proper.k

In` the application ofthe cover' to the wheel; the cover 20 is first aligned with the wheel with the aperture 23 iitted over the valve stemV 8. When in this position the portion 2B is spaced a substantial distance' from the b'ody part portion I2. Thereafter thec'apscrews 'I'5`are`thre'ad ed into the openings in the brake drum' I6; As these cap screws are threaded progressively' into their holes, they engage theY edge 21 of the cover to deiiect the cover toward the portion l2'. This` deflection of the cover portion- 26 is enabled reason of the flexible characteristicsv of the dia phragm or bellows-'like section 25. In other words, both of the portions 2 I? and V2|` of the cover are relatively rigid portions ascornpared to the diaphragm section 25 which pro'vid'es'the cover with the requisite resiliency necessary' to insure atight t of the cover on the wheel.` n

This is a very important feature vof th i'n vention since it is well lsn'owriiii-theY manufacture of wheel parts such as the" rim and body v that when th'ey 'are aisselri'ibled"` togeth if. they may Vary in position relative toeach bthi'. Iii

fact considerable manufacturing tolerance is allowed in this respect. Hence, if a cover is to properly and tightly engage a Wheel it is necessary that the cover be capable of accommodating this variation. I provide for this feature by the forming of the diaphragm section 25 in the cover so that the central portion of the cover can be deected toward the wheel to bring the outer edge 22 into tight engagement with the outer edge of the rim part f the-wheel.

I prefer to space the grooved intermediate portion 24 slightly from the body part Il although in some cases if it is so desired this portion 2li may bear against the body part. It will be perceived from Figure 2 that by reason of the bulged conguration of the flattened section 25 the rivets holding the spring clips 28 in position do n'ot come into contact with the body part.

In addition by reason of the particular shape ofthe grooved section 24, it is possible` to provide a pry off Zone in which the end of a pry-v oif instrument or screw driver maybe inserted for the purpose of prying the hub cap 3| freer of its retaining engagement With the spring clips 28. Thus the hub cap may be readily applied or" secured to the wheel independently oi the Aat: tachment of the coverpto the wheel. Upon removal of the hub cap 3| access maybe had to the wheel bolts for enabling removal of these bolts.

The inner inclined edge 2l' of the cover' 2D actsf to stiiien the cover at its point of engagementby the cap screws l5. If it is so' desired', the cen`` trai portion 25 may be provided with additional stifiening ribs 33 33 on opposite sides of each cap screw.

Attention is directed to Figure 3 wherein itwill be perceived that the head of the cap screw I5 is adapted to lap the inclined edge 2l of the" cover 20 for the purpose of deecting the por# tion 26 toward the wheel'l I nd that this is much more desirable than having the edge of a hole in the cover deflected into the hole HI in theY bolt-on flange i3 of the wheel body part. reason for this is that if too much stress is placed upon the metal of the cover. it will tend to per` manently take a set in the Wheel openings and as a consequence the cover will lose some of its elasticity.

In Figures 4 to 6 inclusive YI have illustrated a slight modication of the invention wherein the wheel is identical to the Wheel of the rst onev and wherein the cover 20 is identical to the cover 20 with the exception of the central portion 26. The hub cap 3| in thisV forni is identical to the hub cap of the rst form andhas an outer turned edge 32 forrcooperation with thel spring clips 28- carried by the cover 2K1.

The central portion of the-cover 20' has 4irrstead of ra single edge portion for cooperation withthe cap screws I5 a plurality ofvholes 4o one for each cap screw. Each of these holes isldened b-yjaninclined or tapered edge 4I lwhichis of the same inclination as the corresponding tapered portion of the head of the cap screws. In other words each of these inclined portionsV 4I defines a 'seat for a portion of Vthec'ap screw 'en'gage'dth'ereby The holes d'may be slightly oval `in configuration-so as to necessitate a tight at or' the tap screws I5 therein.

sides of each bolt hole 40 for reinforcing'ftli cover.

The"

In Figure I have illustrated the condition of the cover prior to the tightening of it in position and prior to the application of the hub cap thereto. It willbe perceived from a comparison of Figure 5 with Figure 4 that prior to the tighteningof the cap screws I5 the portion 26 is spaced a considerable distance from the body part of the wheel. Thereafter as the cap screws are tightened, the portion 2t is bodily moved or deflected toward the body part by reason of the flexing lof the intermediate or diaphragm section 25' of the cover. After the cover has been tightened in place so that its outer edge is in tight engagement with the rim part lll of the wheel, the hub cap may be snapped, over the spring clips in the manner previously described.

vIt should be noted that while I have disclosed the spring clips as being the retaining means for the hub cap, any conventional hub cap retaining means such as is now used in the automobile trade may be substituted for the spring clips 28 if it is so desired.

Both forms of the invention operate in substantially the same manner and function to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in the wheel parts. In addition both forms of cover are adapted for a tight t on the wheel and are maintained in this condition by reason of the deiiection of the central section of the cover under tension.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion with an edge for engagement by the heads of said screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward said central ange and retain said cover in tight engagement with said tire rim, said central portion being joined to said outer portion by a deflectable annular diaphragm section.

2. In a cover structure for a wheel including a1 tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion with an edge for engagement by the heads of said screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward said central iiange and retain said cover in tight engagement with said tire rim, said central portion being joined to said outer portion by a deectable annular diaphragm section, and said diaphragm section carrying hub cap retaining means and a hub cap snapped over and into retained engagement with said retaining means.

3. In a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion with an edge for engagement by the heads of said screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward said central flange and retain said cover in tight engagement with` said tire rim, said central portion being joined to said outer portion by a deflectable annular diaphragm section, and said diaphragm section comprising an axially outwardly extending flattened portion on which hub cap retaining spring clips are mounted.

4. In a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion with an edge for engagement by the heads oi said screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward said central flange and retain said coverV in tight engagement with said tire rim, said central portion being joined to said outer portion by a deflectable annular diaphragm section, and said outer portion extending radially and axially inwardly to said diaphragm section so as to substantially conceal the exposed outer side flanges of the rim part and so as to in use appear to be a continuation of the curved outer side wall of the tire.

5. In a cover structure for a wheel including a multi-ange tire rim and a body part having a central iiange provided' with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer annular portion for bearing against the tire rim and extending generally axially and radially inwardly towards the body7 part, a central portion opposite said ange and provided with a plurality of apertures each having an inclined edge for engagement by an inclined surface of the head of o-ne of the attachment screws and an intermediate annular diaphragm section connecting said outer and central portions and yieldable upon pressure being exerted by the screws against said central portion whereby the cover may be retained under tension and in tight engagement with said tire rim.

6. In a cover structure for a wheel including a multi-flange tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer annular portion for bearing against the tire rim and extending generally axially and radially inwardly towards the body part, a central portion opposite said ange and provided with a plurality of apertures each having an inclined edge for engagement by an inclined surface of the headof one of the attachment screws and an intermediate annular diaphragm section connecting said outer and central portions and yieldable upon pressure being exerted by the screws against said central portion whereby the cover may be retained under tension and in tight engagement with said tire rim, said diaphragm section being provided with hub cap retaining means over which a detachable hub cap is snapped into retaining engagement therewith.

7. In a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having a central flange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion for engagement by the heads of said screws to deiiect said central portion under tension toward said central flange and retain said cover in tight engagement with said tire rim, said central portion being joined to said outer portion by a deflectable annular diaphragm section, there being an annular groove between said diaphragm section and said outer portion and opening outwardly for receiving the edge of a hub cap in assembly with the cover structure, and means on the cover for retaining the hub cap.

8. In a cover structure for a wheelinclnding a. tire rim and a body part having a central iiange provided with attachment screws, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portion for bearing against the tire rim and a central portion for engagement by the heads of said screws to deflect said central portion under tension toward said central danze and retain said ascesa@ cover' tight engagement with said tire fini', said central portion being joined to said outei portion by a deecta-bie annular diaphragm section, there being annular outwardly opening groove between said diaphragmsection aridsaid outer por#V tion, a hub cap having an edgereceivabie in said groove, and means-carried by said diaphragm sec-V tion', a` hub cap having an edge receivable in said said-,gn-icsve*s Y 9`.- In a cover structure for awheel including a tire rim and a body' part having a central nange provided with attachment screws, a cover thr'eefor of lightr sheet metaly including an outer por-*- tion for bearing againstthe tire r-irn andl alcen# tral portion for engagement by the heads of said screws to deilect said central portionI under tension toward said central 'flange and retain Said cover in tight engagement with said tire rim, said central portion beingjoi-ne'd to" said outer portion by a deilectable annular diaphragm sec- .v

tion, there being an annular outwardly opening groove between said diaphragm section and said outer portion, a-hub cap having anledge receivablev in said groove, and` carredby said diaphragm section for securing the hub cap in assembly within said groove, said diaphragm section having apertures adjacent to said groove for passage of a portion of said retaining' means.

10. In a cover structure for a' wheel including a tireV rim and a body part' having a central ange provided with attachment', screws having conical-like clamping head shoulders, a cover therefor of light sheet metaly including an outer portion for bearing against the v tire rim and a central portion with an edge extending generally inwardly into'proxirnity to the radially outer sidesVv of the screws for engagementfbywthe conical-Y like shoulders of the heads of the screws to deflect said central portionv under tension toward said central flange and retain saidv cover in tight engagement with said tire rim. the edge of said central portion having aturned reinforcing flange located on aV diameter edual't'o af diameter circumscribing the radially ter sides of the clamp head shoulders of the screws S0' that inthe fully tightened condition of the screws said edge is merely lapped by said screw head shoulders;

11, In a' coverstructire for a wheel including' a-tire rim and a body part having" a'cetral flange provided with attachment screws'liavi'ng conical-- like clamping head shoulders, av cover therefor vof light sheet 'metal including an outer' portion for bearing against the tire rim and. a central portion with an edge for engagement by the conicallike shoulders of the screw heads to de'ect said' central portion under tension toward said central flange and retain' 'said cover' in tight engagement with said tire-rim, said edge portion being inclined ina generally axially and radiallyl outward direction to afford a seat for an inclined surface of each of said screw headsl and extending into proximity to the radially outer Sides of the screws. f

12' In a cover structure for a Wheel includinga tire rim and a body .part having a central flange provided withl attachment screws' having' conicallike clamping head shoulders, a cover therefor of light sheet metal including an outer portieriy for bearing against the tire rimv and a central portion with anl edge extending into pro'ximityfto the'v radially outer sides of the screws for engage-f merit by the conical-like shoulders to deect said central portion under tension toward said central nange and retain said cover in tight engagement with said tire' rim, said central portion being ribbed at circumferentially spaced points on opposite sides of the points of lapping` engagement by the respective screws to strengthenv said por-r tion at itsl points of attachment. y

`13; In a cover structure of the character described for disposition on the' outer side of a ve' hicle wheel in covering relation to the tirefrirn' and adjacent portion of the load sustaining body part of the wheel, a cover annulus including a radially inner portion' arranged to be engaged by the' attachment screws of the wheel andv providingv edge areas engageable byv they tapering' shoulders of the screws, said areas" being formed with generally axially outwardly extending flange" portions generally complementary to the screw head taper whereby a lapping engagement Vbetween said flange portions and the screw heads is adapted to be eiected and the inner portion of thev cover may remain out of engagement with the wheel body while only the outer portion of the cover engages the wheel.

14. In a wheel structure including al tire rim hicle and having tapered attachment heads, an annular cover member engaging the tire rim atl its outer margin and having a radially inner marginal portion formed for engagement by the ta--V pered heads of the screw members in lapping relation and held thereby to maintain the cover under tensioned engagement against thetire rim;v

the remainder of the cover radially inwardly fromv said outer margin and including the radially inner screw member engaging portion of the cover being in spaced relationto the wheel.-

15; In a cover for disposition at the outer side l of a vehicle wheel, a radially outer annular portion,` a radially inner annular portion, a* dif tending generally radially outwardly, and a hubv cap'retained on the coverby said spring' clips.

GEORGE VALBERF LYON;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le` of this" patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberV Name Date 2,106,586` Zerk Jan'. 25, 19738l 4 2,166,216 Lyon July 18, 1939,- 2,368,232 Aske Jan. 30, 1945 2,368,240 Lyon Jan. 3'0`, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number f Country Date 263,882- Great Britain Apr. 21,1927 

